Open-source software is software that is made available to the public. Anyone with the correct technical skills can contribute. Programmers can access open-source code, and even no-code folks can make contributions to it.
Open-source software gives anyone the opportunity to contribute their knowledge. Beginners in tech wanting to get real-life experience can also contribute to open source to learn and get the exposure they need.
There are some programs that use this open-source model, where people could contribute to open source and get paid for it. This article will highlight some of the notable open-source programs that pay people to take part in them.
So, if you want to improve your tech experience while also earning a living in the new year, look no further. This article would be valuable to you.
The top 8 paid open-source programs, in no particular order, are:
Google Summer Of Code
This is an open-source program organized by Google where students and non-students take part in open source by building either short-term or long-term projects. The organizations that are interested submit their projects to Google, and the participants write their proposals to the organizations and reach out to mentors. The organizations are the ones who select the participants, and Google makes the payment. Applications open in December. Google pays a minimum of $1500 for short-term projects, $3000 for long-term projects, and a maximum of $3300 for short-term projects and $6600 for long-term projects, depending on the location of the participants.
Google Season Of Docs
This is an open-source program organized by Google for technical writers. It follows the same pattern as the Google Summer of Code. Qualified participants write for organizations. Google pays a minimum of $3000 for projects. Applications begin around March, and the program runs until the end of the year.
Outreachy
Outreachy is an open-source program that promotes diversity and inclusion. Outreachy aims to support people who are underrepresented in their community. Their programs include data science, cloud computing, documentation, community management, marketing, and so on. The program is open to students and non-students. The program runs twice a year, from May to August and from December to March. Outreachy pays a participant $7000.
Hyper ledger Mentorship Program
Hyper Ledger runs an open-source program for blockchain developers. Such developers can make contributions to the blockchain and earn money. Hyper ledger is under Linux. Interested participants apply through the LFX Mentorship platform, where hyperledger projects are listed. Applications begin around March, and the program runs until the end of the year. The Linux Foundation pays an unspecified fee to each participant.
Major League Hacking (MLH) Fellowship
This is a program powered by GitHub. It comprises software engineering, open source, and data management tracks. It is a 12-week program where qualified participants engage in a real-life software engineering experience while networking with their fellow members. Applications for the program begin at the beginning of every year. The program makes payments depending on your needs.
Reinforcement Learning Open Source Fest
This is a program organized by Microsoft. where qualified participants engage in building programs and documentation, amongst others. The application runs at the beginning of every year. It is open to students only. They pay $10,000 for a student. The programs run in two batches: May to August and September to December.
The X.Org Endless Vacation Of Code (EVoC)
This program follows the Google Summer of Code model in accepting participants. So these participants have to write a proposal of their ideas, pitch it to them, and then look for mentors. When the mentors accept them, they can begin. The program runs throughout the year. The program pays students only. Non-students are not paid.
LFN Mentorship Program
This is a program organized by the Linux Foundation for all aspiring Linux developers. The selected participants get to partake in an open-source project by working on Linux projects. They gain experience and mentorship. Linux pays them for their efforts. Linux pays an unspecified fee to the participants, depending on their location.
Conclusion
The major goal of open source is to make free contributions, but if there is an opportunity to support yourself financially while doing it, then it is even better. You can apply to these programs if you think you can do it. You will never know where it will take you tomorrow. It is always important to put yourself out there by utilizing every opportunity. I wish you the best of luck and thank you for reading.